How do I know if my dog has a food allergy?

Would you know how to identify a food allergy in your dog? Many people are often not even aware of the concept of food allergies among our canine friends, but they're actually as common in dogs as they are in humans. Any person who has ever experienced the relief of identifying an allergy to a particular food product and cutting it out of their diet will understand the difference that it can make to the health and general happiness of an individual. It works in the same way for dogs – except that our dogs are dependent on us to spot that something's wrong, and take steps to identify and resolve the problem.

The unfortunate thing is that very often dog food allergies manifest themselves in ways that we simply can't see from the outside. However, a very common symptom that seems to appear at some point during the majority of dog food allergies is itchy skin. If you see your dog scratching more than you think is normal, then pay attention to that. Dogs suffering from dog food allergies might try to ease their discomfort by chewing on their tails, shaking their heads a lot, or rubbing their paws, face, or anus against other surfaces. You might also see a pattern of recurring sores or ear infections.

 

Of course, the problem with this one most common symptom of food allergies is that there are so many other possible (and better known) causes for itching. Fleas are the most obvious assumption, and itching can also be caused by allergies to dust and pollen, or by certain skin conditions such as mange. Because of this, the possibility of an allergy to dog food is very often overlooked – it's very easily done. You should bear in mind that even if your dog has been happily eating the same food for many years without any problems, he can still develop an allergy to it later in life.

One way of identifying whether it's a food allergy is to eliminate the other possibilities. Check and treat for fleas, and get a veterinarian's opinion. Also, look out for other symptoms that may appear as a result of a dog food allergy. Vomiting and diarrhea are likely ones, as well as excessive flatulence. Some dogs may sneeze often, or develop respiratory difficulties like wheezing or other asthma-like symptoms. In severe reactions, there may be seizures or noticeable behavioral changes.

To deal with a food allergy, you could opt for a hypoallergenic dog food, or simply try changing to a different brand of food. You should get advice from your veterinarian if you're worried or if your dog's allergy symptoms persist.

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